Pool Skimmer Waste Removal Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A pool skimmer waste removal apparatus, or skimmer scooper, allows a user to clean a pool skimmer without direct contact with the pool skimmer or debris collected within the pool skimmer. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus includes a shaft assembly and a skimmer assembly, wherein the shaft assembly provides a main shaft for reaching the skimmer assembly into the pool skimmer. Furthermore, the shaft assembly includes a hook that is connected to the main shaft via an end cap, wherein the hook allows the pool skimmer to be removed without the use of one&#39;s hands. Some embodiments may further include a lighting assembly for illuminating the skimmer assembly.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/446,989 filed on Jan. 17, 2017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to pool cleaning supplies. More specifically, the present invention is an apparatus for removing waste from a pool skimmer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pool skimmers collect debris which may fall into a pool or flow through the drains of the pool. Typically, pool skimmers include a skimmer basket that can be removed and cleaned out by an individual when the pool skimmer has collected a substantial amount of debris. The pool skimmer must be cleaned out to prevent any clogging, so the filtration of the pool remains functional. However, many individuals are not comfortable reaching into the pool skimmer to remove the skimmer basket due to the pool skimmer collecting various types of debris which may contain bacteria. Also, the skimmer basket only collects a certain amount of the total debris inside of the pool skimmer.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a pool skimmer waste removal apparatus, or skimmer scooper, which includes a net for a user to clean out a pool skimmer and a hook for a user to easily lift a pool skimmer basket from a pool skimmer. The present invention includes a pole body providing distance when cleaning out a pool skimmer with the net. Furthermore, the present invention allows a user to easily remove a skimmer basket from a pool skimmer by positioning the hook about the handle portion of the skimmer basket. Using the present invention, people can easily clean out a pool skimmer without any skin contact with the debris providing a safer and more comfortable cleaning of a pool skimmer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the present invention in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the present invention in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the present invention in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the present invention in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the present invention having the lighting assembly, wherein the spotlight is integrated into the connection piece.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the present invention having the lighting assembly, wherein the spotlight is integrated into the connection piece.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the present invention having the lighting assembly, wherein the spotlight is connected to the main shaft.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the present invention having the lighting assembly, wherein the spotlight is connected to the main shaft.

FIG. 10 is a diagram depicting the electrical connections of the lighting assembly.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the present invention, wherein the shaft assembly comprises a safety cap for encasing the hook.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the present invention, wherein the main shaft comprises a plurality of sub-shafts being telescopically engaged with each other.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a pool skimmer waste removal apparatus, or skimmer scooper, that is used for removing waste from a pool skimmer. In reference to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a shaft assembly 1 and a skimmer assembly 2, wherein the shaft assembly 1 is utilized to manipulate the skimmer assembly 2 in order to remove debris from a pool skimmer. In some embodiments, the present invention may further include a lighting assembly 3 that is used to illuminate the skimmer assembly 2 for enhanced visibility when removing debris from the pool skimmer.

In reference to FIG. 1-4, the shaft assembly 1 comprises a main shaft 10, an end cap 13, and a hook 14. The main shaft 10 is an elongated structure that allows for the manipulation of both the skimmer assembly 2 and the hook 14 by a user. More particularly, the main shaft 10 allows the skimmer assembly 2 or the hook 14 to be extended down into the pool skimmer, without the user having to reach their hand down inside the pool skimmer. The main shaft 10 can be composed of any material and may be any length. Preferably, the main shaft 10 has a circular cross section; however, the main shaft 10 may have any other shaped cross section.

In further reference to FIG. 1-4, the end cap 13 is terminally connected to the main shaft 10, wherein the main shaft 10 is positioned into the end cap 13. The end cap 13 supports the hook 14 and protects the end of the main shaft 10. Preferably, the main shaft 10 is a hollow tube structure to minimize the weight of the present invention, in which case the end cap 13 also acts to prevent water or other debris from entering the interior of the main shaft 10. In some embodiments, the end cap 13 may be removable from the main shaft 10 in order to replace or interchange the hook 14.

In some embodiments, the end cap 13 may further serve as a handle or grip for the user to grasp while manipulating the main shaft 10. In such embodiments, the end cap 13 may be ergonomically contoured to better receive a user's hand, provide more grip, increase the user's comfort, etc. Furthermore, the end cap 13 may have a texturized surface or be made from a material having a high coefficient of friction to provide better grip to the user.

In reference to FIG. 1-4, the hook 14 is adjacently connected to the end cap 13 and is positioned opposite the main shaft 10 about the end cap 13. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hook 14 extends from the center of the end cap 13. The hook 14 may be composed of any material and may be any desired shape or size. The hook 14 allows the user to easily remove a skimmer basket from the pool skimmer without the user getting their hands dirty or having to reach down within the pool skimmer.

In reference to FIG. 11, in some embodiments of the present invention, the shaft assembly 1 further comprises a safety cap 15. The safety cap 15 is terminally attached to the end cap 13 and encompasses the hook 14, such that the hook 14 cannot unintentionally engage the user or other objects. The safety cap 15 may be hingedly connected to the end cap 13, or otherwise tethered to the end cap 13, such that when the safety cap 15 is disjointed to the reveal the hook 14, the safety cap 15 is not lost. In other embodiments, the safety cap 15 may be attached to the end cap 13 through a threaded connection, snap connection, magnetic connection, or any other suitable means of connection.

In reference to FIG. 1-5, the skimmer assembly 2 allows the user to remove various debris from within the pool skimmer and comprises a connection piece 20, a net frame 21, and a skimmer net 22. The connection piece 20 provides a means for securing the net frame 21 and the skimmer net 22 to the main shaft 10. Meanwhile, the net frame 21 provides a supporting member for the skimmer net 22. The skimmer net 22 allows for the collection of debris, and the subsequent removal of said debris from the pool skimmer.

In further reference to FIG. 1-4, the connection piece 20 is terminally attached to the main shaft 10 opposite the end cap 13. In some embodiments, the connection piece 20 may be permanently affixed to the main shaft 10. In other embodiments, the connection piece 20 may be removably attached to the main shaft 10 such that net frame 21 and skimmer net 22 can be removed and replaced. Preferably, the connection piece 20 is positioned into the main shaft 10 in order to secure the connection piece 20 to the main shaft 10; however, the main shaft 10 may conversely be positioned into the connection piece 20, or the connection piece 20 and the main shaft 10 may be positioned flush with one another.

The connection piece 20 may be removably affixed to the main shaft 10 in a number of different ways. In one embodiment of the present invention, the connection piece 20 is attached to the main shaft 10 through a threaded connection. In another embodiment of the present invention, the connection piece 20 is secured to the main shaft 10 through a ball detent. In yet other embodiments of the present invention, the connection piece 20 may be removably affixed to the main shaft 10 through a snap lock or twist lock mechanism. Other suitable means of connection between the connection piece 20 and the main shaft 10 may also be used in further embodiments of the present invention.

In reference to FIG. 1-3, the net frame 21 is a thin structural member that extends from the connection piece 20 and forms a loop. The net frame 21 is adjacently connected to the connection piece 20, opposite the main shaft 10, wherein the net frame 21 extends away from the main shaft 10. The net frame 21 may be composed of any material, and may be designed in any shape or size. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the net frame 21 is generally square in shape, having rounded corners.

In reference to FIG. 1-5, the skimmer net 22 is adjacently connected to the net frame 21 and provides a means for collecting debris from within the pool skimmer. Together, the net frame 21 and the skimmer net 22 form a malleable, basket-like structure that can be used to scoop up debris; the skimmer net 22 folding in on itself, allowing debris to be scooped up in two directions. In some embodiments of the present invention, a perimetric edge of the skimmer net 22 is folded around the net frame 21 and attached to a subsequent portion of the skimmer net 22. In turn, a channel is formed in the skimmer net 22, in which the net frame 21 is positioned, wherein the skimmer net 22 is secured to net frame 21. In other embodiments of the present invention, the perimetric edge may be directly connected to the net frame 21.

The skimmer net 22 is able to fold in on itself and traverse through the loop of the net frame 21, thus allowing debris to be scooped up by moving the present invention in one of two opposite directions. Each of the opposite directions being normal to the loop of the net frame 21. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the skimmer net 22 is a fine mesh net that allows both small and large debris to be collected, while simultaneously allowing water to pass through the skimmer net 22. In other embodiments of the present invention, the material of the skimmer net 22 and the size of the openings in the skimmer net 22 may vary depending on the desired characteristics of the present invention.

In reference to FIG. 12, in some embodiments of the present invention, the main shaft 10 comprises a plurality of sub-shafts 11. Each of the plurality of sub-shafts 11 is telescopically engaged with an adjacent sub-shaft 12 from the plurality of sub-shafts 11; one sub-shaft being fitted into another. In this way, the main shaft 10 is able to extend or collapse in on itself. This allows for the extended range of the net frame 21 and the skimmer net 22 relative to the hand of the user, thus lessening the strain on the user due to the lesser need of bending over to reach the pool skimmer. Further, the collapsible nature of the main shaft 10 allows for easier and more compact storage of the present invention.

The lighting assembly 3 is utilized to illuminate the skimmer assembly 2, allowing for enhanced visibility within the pool skimmer, especially when natural light is limited or not present. The lighting assembly 3 comprises a spotlight 30, a switch 31, and a battery 32. The battery 32 provides electrical current to power the spotlight 30, while the switch 31 allows the spotlight 30 to be toggled on and off. As such, both the spotlight 30 and the switch 31 are electrically connected to the battery 32, as depicted in FIG. 10. The switch 31 can be toggled in a first position to complete the circuit between the spotlight 30 and the battery 32 and power on the spotlight 30, or toggled in a second position to break the circuit and power off the spotlight 30.

The spotlight 30 can be integrated with either the shaft assembly 1 or the skimmer assembly 2, depending on the embodiment of the present invention. In reference to FIG. 6-7, in some embodiments, the spotlight 30 is terminally integrated with the connection piece 20, such that the spotlight 30 is directed towards the net frame 21 and the skimmer net 22. The spotlight 30 may be recessed into the connection piece 20, positioned flush with the end of the connection piece 20, extended out of the connection piece 20, or otherwise mounted to the connection piece 20. In reference to FIG. 8-9, in other embodiments, the spotlight 30 is terminally integrated with the main shaft 10, wherein the spotlight 30 is positioned adjacent to the skimmer assembly 2, wherein the spotlight 30 is directed towards the net frame 21 and the skimmer net 22.

The spotlight 30 illuminates the skimmer assembly 2, allowing the user to more easily view the debris that is being collected from the pool skimmer. In the preferred embodiment of the lighting assembly 3, the spotlight 30 is one or more light emitting diodes. Light emitting diodes are compact, thus minimizing the size requirements of the spotlight 30 and allowing for sleeker integration. Furthermore, light emitting diodes reduce power consumption, while maintaining a high intensity light output. However, it is possible for other lighting bulbs or devices to be utilized in other embodiments of the lighting assembly 3.

In reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the switch 31 is integrated into the main shaft 10, allowing the user to easily toggle the spotlight 30 on and off. Preferably, the switch 31 is positioned adjacent to, or slightly offset from, the end cap 13, where the user is most naturally inclined to handle the main shaft 10 when removing debris from the pool skimmer. This allows the user to toggle the spotlight 30 with minimal effort or re-gripping. However, in other embodiments the switch 31 may be positioned elsewhere along the main shaft 10, such as adjacent to the skimmer assembly 2.

In the preferred embodiment of the lighting assembly 3, the switch 31 is a push button switch 31. This allows the profile of the switch 31 to be minimized and blend more seamlessly into the profile of the main shaft 10. Additionally, it helps to prevent the switch 31 from catching on other objects and unintentionally being toggled into an undesired position.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pool skimmer waste removal apparatus comprises: a shaft assembly comprising a main shaft, an end cap, and a hook; a skimmer assembly comprising a connection piece, a net frame, and a skimmer net; the end cap being terminally connected to the main shaft; the main shaft being positioned into the end cap; the hook being adjacently connected to the end cap; the hook being positioned opposite the main shaft about the end cap; the connection piece being terminally attached to the main shaft opposite the end cap; the net frame being adjacently connected to the connection piece opposite the main shaft; and the skimmer net being adjacently connected to the net frame.
 2. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the main shaft comprising a plurality of sub-shafts; and each of the plurality of sub-shafts telescopically engaging an adjacent sub-shaft from the plurality of sub-shafts.
 3. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a lighting assembly comprising a spotlight and a switch; the spotlight being electrically connected to the switch; and the switch being integrated into the main shaft.
 4. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the switch is a push button switch.
 5. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the spotlight is one or more light emitting diodes.
 6. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprises: the lighting assembly further comprising a battery; the battery being positioned within the main shaft; and the battery being electrically connected to the spotlight and the switch.
 7. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprises: the spotlight being terminally integrated into the connection piece.
 8. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprises: the spotlight being terminally integrated into the main shaft; and the spotlight being positioned adjacent to the skimmer assembly.
 9. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the shaft assembly further comprising a safety cap; the safety cap being terminally attached to the end cap; and the safety cap encompassing the hook.
 10. A pool skimmer waste removal apparatus comprises: a shaft assembly comprising a main shaft, an end cap, and a hook; a skimmer assembly comprising a connection piece, a net frame, and a skimmer net; a lighting assembly comprising a spotlight and a switch; the end cap being terminally connected to the main shaft; the main shaft being positioned into the end cap; the hook being adjacently connected to the end cap; the hook being positioned opposite the main shaft about the end cap; the connection piece being terminally attached to the main shaft opposite the end cap; the net frame being adjacently connected to the connection piece opposite the main shaft; the skimmer net being adjacently connected to the net frame; the spotlight being electrically connected to the switch; and the switch being integrated into the main shaft.
 11. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprises: the main shaft comprising a plurality of sub-shafts; and each of the plurality of sub-shafts telescopically engaging an adjacent sub-shaft from the plurality of sub-shafts.
 12. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the switch is a push button switch.
 13. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the spotlight is one or more light emitting diodes.
 14. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprises: the lighting assembly further comprising a battery; the battery being positioned within the main shaft; and the battery being electrically connected to the spotlight and the switch.
 15. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprises: the spotlight being terminally integrated into the connection piece.
 16. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprises: the spotlight being terminally integrated into the main shaft; and the spotlight being positioned adjacent to the skimmer assembly.
 17. The pool skimmer waste removal apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprises: the shaft assembly further comprising a safety cap; the safety cap being terminally attached to the end cap; and the safety cap encompassing the hook. 